Asceticism and Eroticism in early Indian Mythology The Vedic Antecedents of Šiva Šiva and Brahmà: Opposition and Identity Šiva and Kàma Šakti in the UpaPuràças The Tàntric ŠaktiCult Ritualistic Aspect of the PURÀÇiC ŠAKTICULT Themes covered Erotic powers of the Ascetic Rejuvenation of the Ascetic Sexual pleasures, Two forms of Immortality Householder and Ascetic in Society Indra as Phallic God of Fertility The Seven Sages and their Wives Šiva and Pàrvatì as the Parents of Skanda The Golden Seed of Fire Birth of Skanda and Birth of the Maruts Šàkta UpaPuràças, Sarvarùpà Devì Devì Puràça, Kàlikà Puràça, MahàBhàgvata Puràça Concept of Šakti in Devì Puràça Šakti in the MahàBhàgavata Puràça Kàli, the goddess of the Tantràs Daša–Mahàvidyàs, Kuçœalinì Šaktì Yoga Philosophy of the Šàkta Tantras Nature of the Tantric Sàdhanà Adhikàris of Devìworship, Devì Vratas Devì Pùjà, DurgàPujà, Pašubali Human sacrifice Devotees of Šakti in the Puràças